As a product manager, you know how important it is to learn from others, share your insights, and find new opportunities. But how do you connect with product managers worldwide, especially in times of remote work and travel restrictions? In this article, you'll discover some of the best ways to network and grow as a product manager, no matter where you are.
One of the easiest and most effective ways to connect with product managers worldwide is to join online communities that cater to your interests, goals, and challenges. There are many platforms and forums where you can find product managers who are willing to exchange ideas, feedback, and advice. Some of the most popular ones are Product Hunt, Product School, Mind the Product, and Product Coalition. You can also look for niche communities that focus on specific domains, industries, or roles, such as Product-Led Growth, Women in Product, or Product Marketing.
Some of my favorite product people actually shy away from the big PM-centric groups in favor of wider interest groups where they can hang out with fellow technologists, designers, marketers, data scientists, etc. It's a great strategy for diversifying your view of the product world, and you may find more T-shaped folks to connect with this way.
While joining online communities can be the straightforward approach, it's essential to choose the specific ones that help you find your tribe. Being a part of many communities while balancing your day-to-day work can quickly get overwhelming and can turn against the actual purpose of getting value and contributing. Before jumping into a product community, spend time doing a bit of research on the people who make up the community, the conversations that happen, channel of communication (Slack, newsletter, social), and what you'd also be providing by being a part. Further more, some paid subscriptions are worthy and popular among PMs (like Shreyas Doshi, Lenny Rachitsky), but go by your own idea of value and how you wish to engage.
Another way to network and learn from product managers worldwide is to attend virtual events that offer valuable content, insights, and connections. You can find online events that cover various topics, formats, and durations, such as webinars, workshops, conferences, and hackathons. Some of the most renowned ones are ProductCon, Productized, and ProductCamp. You can also check out platforms like Eventbrite, Meetup, and Hopin to discover more events that suit your preferences and schedule.
Social media is not only a great way to stay updated on the latest trends, news, and best practices in product management, but also a powerful tool to interact with product managers worldwide. You can follow, like, comment, and share posts from influential product managers, thought leaders, and organizations on platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Medium. You can also join groups, hashtags, and chats that are relevant to your field, such as #prodmgmt, #productmanagement, and #pmchat. You can also create your own content and showcase your expertise, projects, and opinions.
A transformative experience for me in shifting further to Product Management was starting to write regularly on LinkedIn. It helped develop new connections and get multiple job opportunities. Simply write about any topic which you feel your readers can get value from it. It takes practice, but the important thing is to keep going. While it is common advice to try and write daily, don't force it if it's too difficult. Aim for at least twice a week though. This also encourages you to interact with other creators by liking or commenting on their posts. There are a myriad of topics in Product Management to write about. Try to create a list of post ideas at the start, so when you seek inspiration, you just pick an item from those ideas.
A quick one for PM jobseekers and hiring managers alike: stay in touch with each other even if the interview process didn’t work out this time. Hirers leave and move on to new roles often. Interviewees end up somewhere else if they don’t end up at your company. Connect on LinkedIn, support each other, and keep your paths crossed.
If you want to connect with product managers worldwide while improving your skills and knowledge, you can enroll in online courses that offer both learning and networking opportunities. You can find courses that cover various aspects of product management, such as strategy, design, development, marketing, and analytics. Some of the most reputable ones are Product Management Certificate by Cornell University, Product Management Nanodegree by Udacity, and Product Management Course by General Assembly. You can also look for courses that include peer feedback, group projects, and mentorship.
Online courses are the best way to learn and connect with peers. Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, Stanford Online, and many more provide PM courses. The best online course for you will be based on your goals and the PM exposure you have. There are multiple Product Managers running their own courses where they allow Whatsapp groups and communities to explore, that will be more beneficial course for a beginner than someone who is already exposed to PM opportunities and communities.
Another way to connect with product managers worldwide while making a positive impact is to volunteer for causes that align with your values and passions. You can find opportunities to use your product management skills to help non-profits, social enterprises, and communities solve real-world problems. Some of the platforms that connect product managers with volunteer projects are Catchafire, Taproot, and SocialCoder. You can also look for local or global initiatives that support causes such as education, health, environment, or diversity.
Finally, one of the most effective ways to connect with product managers worldwide is to reach out personally and start a conversation. You can find potential contacts through your existing network, online communities, social media, or events. You can also use platforms like LinkedIn, AngelList, or ProductHire to search for product managers by location, industry, or role. When you reach out, make sure to introduce yourself, explain why you're interested in connecting, and ask a relevant question or offer value. You can also suggest a virtual coffee chat or a video call to deepen the relationship.
Create a pull. Share your Product Management knowledge on Social media and get the conversation going. Share & Learn is a great way to connect with Product Managers.
Meaningful connections go a long way in helping you connect with fellow PMs and product peers. A short intro while connecting on LinkedIn, an email if you find someone's portfolio and enjoyed it, a Twitter DM to connect and express your mutual interests—these are just some ways to break the geography barrier and befriend amazing product folks across the globe. (Been there, done that)